Tokunbo Wahab Speaks On Lagos Resolve To Eradicate Air Pollution

Tokunbo says Lagos is committed to eradicating air pollution.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab has called on the delegates of the Year 2024 Clean Air forum to come up with an appropriate policy framework that could help to address the persistent air pollution problem in the African continent.

Wahab made the call on Saturday while welcoming organisers of the Clean Air Forum who paid a courtesy visit to his office.

The commissioner, who said air pollution is a major environmental threat to the continent, said the Lagos government’s commitment to implementing policies that will address the issue of air pollution and other climate change problems that may have a direct effect on the health of the citizenry,

He expressed concerns about the level of air pollution in the African region and tasked the delegation to come up with appropriate solutions and policy frameworks that could help the continent tackle the problem of air pollution and its attendant effect on human health.

Assuring of the state government’s commitment to tackling all forms of environmental degradation including air pollution, Wahab stated that Lagos would take into consideration the outcome and recommendations by experts at the forum on how air quality in the state could be improved upon in its policy formulation and implementation.

He reiterated that the present administration led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has, from inception, prioritised environmental sustainability as essential to achieving good governance, adding that it was the reason that health and the environment were accorded prominent place in its T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda.

The Commissioner, who expressed confidence in the forum, also tasked them to take a holistic approach in addressing air pollution issues in the continent, urging them to come up with a policy framework and recommendations that could stand the test of time.

While assuring the team of the state government’s commitment to collaborations and partnerships that could promote good governance and environmental sustainability across Africa, Wahab thanked the body for giving Lagos State the hosting right of the Year 2024 edition of the conference.

He said: “We must admit that we have things to solve and address, and we must put them at the forefront of our priorities. We are committed to working with all stakeholders to improve air quality and mitigate the impact of air pollution on our citizens”.

The Clean Air forum, Lagos 2024, organised by AirQo, Makerere University; AQMRG, University of Lagos in partnership with LASEPA, brought together policymakers, representatives from the private sector, development partners, and scientific communities to discuss the pressing issue of air pollution in Africa.